This woman had me wrapped around her little finger from the moment I laid eyes on her. If she knew how deep my obsession ran, I’m sure she would’ve run from me then and there, butit was too late for her now. Thankfully she seemed almost as addicted to me as I was to her.
“Where did you go?” she murmured. Giana wrapped her arms around my neck and lifted on her toes as I willingly fell into her.
My mouth slanted against hers, and her lips parted to deepen the kiss. I didn’t waste any time as I drank in her sweetness, my tongue caressing hers like she was the air I needed to live, like I could consume her whole with one touch, one kiss. Pride swelled in my chest as she pulled away, her swollen lips evidence of our love.
“Just went for a drive.” I placed a feather-like kiss on her nose, drinking in the way her cheeks pinkened.
Her sweet amber eyes scanned my face like she could see the truth I tried to bury every time I was by her side. My demons seemed to loom closer and closer since the fire, since I almost lost her.
“Keep our girl safe,” Kellan huffed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her back into his chest. I almost bristled at the loss of her warm body pressed against mine until I glanced down at the tight black bustier she had on beneath her leather jacket.
“Always.” I winked at my sugar.
“Seriously?” Her nose scrunched up as she crossed her arms over her chest. The movement only displayed more of her ample curves, which I wasn’t sure was the best idea.
“Do you have the vests in the back?” Kellan frowned down, his mind clearly heading in the same direction mine had.
“I’m all loaded up.” I grinned, thankful he’d reminded me that those assholes wouldn’t be getting an eyeful of our girl with the bulletproof vests we’d all be wearing tonight. “I even have a present for you back there, sugar.”
“Really?” Her eyes glinted with mischief. “We’re talking about a weapon, right?”
“Can’t tell you.” I booped her nose with my pointer finger. “You’ll just have to wait till we get there.”
A crease formed between her brows, but she didn’t argue. “Are you sure you don’t want to ride with us?”
“It’s better to have more cars in case we need to make a quick getaway,” Kellan said, ducking to brush his lips softly against hers. “I’ll be around the corner just in case you need anything.”
“I know,” she said, her lower lip jutting out into a cute little pout that I barely resisted biting. “It feels weird for any of us to be separated since—”
She didn’t need to finish that sentence. I met Kellan’s gaze, and his sable orbs hardened to steel. All the levity evaporated at the reminder of what almost happened with Tommaso again.
“I won’t let her out of my sight.”
That seemed to appease Kellan. He nodded and pulled Giana in for another kiss before letting her fall back into my waiting arms. I wrapped her up in a tight embrace, letting the steady beat of her heart reassure me she was truly here with us. We hadn’t lost her to the fire.
“If I don’t go now, I don’t think I’ll be able to let you go,” Kellan said, the words almost too low to make out. I knew what he meant. It nearly killed me to be away from her this morning, but it was good to lose myself to the violence for a few moments, to show her just how much this demon could and would do for her. Now hopefully we might both be able to get some blood on our hands tonight. My girl looked oh so good draped in crimson after all.
Kellan staggered back, unable to tear his eyes away from her until his back thumped against the door of Merrick’s red Chevy Impala. I spun Giana around, knowing neither of them could break the magnetic force of each other’s eyes. I knew I wouldn’t have the willpower if I were in his shoes.
“Let’s head out, sugar.” I stooped to bury my face into her hair, needing the hit of her floral shampoo to motivate me to get behind the wheel. I opened the door for her, letting her slide into the passenger seat and slip on her earpiece before making my way over to the driver’s seat.
I left this afternoon for a drive to clear my head, needing to be at the top of my game to keep my girl safe tonight. But with every mile I drove away from her, my chest only ached that much more. This woman owned my heart and soul, and I bet she didn’t even know just how deep she’d burrowed into my skin. There was no me without her, which was why we had to wipe the board clean.
I clenched the steering wheel hard, only able to pull in a full breath when her palm slid up my jean-clad thigh. I’d go with her plan, but if the Barones got too close to her, I’d burn the world down around us to keep her safe, no matter who stood in the way.
“Alphateamisinposition.” Giana pressed her hand to her ear, her melodic voice echoing through the radio I reluctantly wore for her. We’d parked behind the hardware store, planning to stake out the place since it would be a target after we’d used it as our place of operations this morning.
“Bravo team is in position,” Kellan said.
I didn’t miss the way her shoulders slumped as she leaned her back against the cold brick wall. Thankfully it had stopped raining this afternoon. Otherwise I’d be ushering her into one of the narrow overhangs and keeping her out of the action, even if she raged at me for it.
I pulled the release for the trunk and gathered the vests, my lip curling at the thought of wearing it under my jacket, but I knew my girl would protest if she had to wear one and I didn’t.
“Put the vest on, and I’ll give you your present.”
“Not fair.” She strode over to me, that delectable pout making a reappearance. I didn’t resist this time. I lunged at her, wrapping her tightly in my arms as I rolled her bottom lip between my teeth, lightly nibbling it before I slammed my mouth on hers in a proper, all-consuming kiss.
I reluctantly released her, spinning her so she couldn’t see into the trunk. “Be a good girl and put on your vest, and you’ll get your reward.
